The home is located on 20 acres of land at Dutton on the Gloucester-Mathews County line. It will open with six children initially and when at capacity, will house 24.

From 1970 to 1980, the facility was known as the Hopesville Ranch for Boys, a residential child care facility. Hopesville Christian Academy was established in 1977 for the boys in residence and continued as a Christian Academy for day students after the boys home closed.

In 1990, the academy indicated it wished to operate again as a children's home. The past three years have been spent raising funds to make that a reality, Seal says.

An annual budget of a little more than $100,000 is anticipated with six children in residence and a third of that amount must be raised before a state license can be obtained. Seal said the group hopes to reach that goal in time for a December opening.

Seal said few changes were necessary in the facility to meet the requirements for the home that will house abused and neglected children between the ages of 4 and 14.

Volunteer orientation and training is held at 3 p.m. each Sunday and individuals interested in helping with the project are invited to attend. For information, call 693-3888, or out of area residents may call 1-800-643-3888.